Dr. Marcum has put together a great book and I would highly recommend it for all readers. This book is based on God's healthy eating plan as presented in Genesis. The results of today's eating habits are obvious with the high rise of heart disease. Dr. Marcum is very straight forward in presenting the facts as well as a wonderful alternative to healthy eating but in the end the choice is ours. I'm not yet ready to give up my morning coffee, the milk on my cereal or meat and eggs but I will make small changes as God leads me towards a healthier life style.

I like reading books such as this because I have Fibromyalgia and I am always seeking the best and safest way to keep it at bay.

In the Introduction this statement popped off the page and peaked my interest, also the title of this book did too!

It states...." We find ourselves gazing into the faces of overweight,overworked,over stimulated people we hardly recognize. We lean forward and squint into the eyes of people who haven't a clue about what's going on inside our own bodies, yet we know that all isn't right in there---that something bad is happening deep inside us...we understand---although we don't know how or whyâ€”that something important is missing, something necessary for the days, weeks and years ahead. But all we can do is stand there, unsure, confused and afraid. That's what happens when the human body, mind, and spirit become so wrapped up with what tastes good, feels good and seems good that we lose sight of what really is good !!!!!!!"

WOW...WOW...WOW... this really spoke to me and I pray this book is helpful to so many others who seem to have this in common with me.

Some chapters I will list..

A Victim of Deception

Hidden Stresses

In The Beginning

The Lie

The Path to Truth

and many more I did not list...

There are SOOOOOOOOOOOO Many books out there that one must really know what to believe and trust...

They are complicated and hard to understand but not this one.

Always do your research when reading books like these....I do

Dr. Marcum begins the book with the story of his friend having health problems and how he starts to dig deep to find out why so many people are having too many health problems.

It is a very easy to understand and very helpful book.

He takes Genesis 1 & 2 and breaks it down to how GOD created us and how we are to take great care of ourselves.

Dr. Marcum is not selling any "magic pill" or long drawn out way to do things which I find so very refreshing.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANY person no matter if you have health problems or not! I also recommend all born again follower of Christ Jesus.

I am thankful to GOD for those who right books such as this...

Yahweh, I ask that YOU continue to use Dr. James Marcum to further the Gospel and to share truth and only YOUR truth. Bless him as he has blessed YOU and me. In Jesus Matchless name AMEN.

this book is a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.

When I saw this title, written by a cardiologist and Christian believer, I was excited to see what he had to say about health. So excited, that despite my own moratorium on requesting books for review purposes, I requested this one from Tyndale House.

I liked what Dr Marcum had to say about conventional medical practices and our society's belief that doctors and prescriptions cure what ails us. He was willing to admit that this approach just treats the symptoms-that true change can only occur by discovering the source of the problem and addressing that.

He reminds us that we're asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking how to get well, we should ask "Why am I sick?" The author states that it's been estimated that 80-90% of all cardiovascular disease is acquired. As in something we do that causes it, not simple genetics. He states, "The painful truth is that we give the disease to ourselves by the choices we make over a lifetime."

He goes on to briefly point out the dangers of high fructose corn syrup (and the irony that it's in nearly every hospital meal served) and the argon gas applied to fruits and vegetables. He poses the questions I've asked myself. If it's dangerous, why has it been allowed into our food supply? Who's responsible? He suggests we take a look in the mirror and ask if the Standard American Diet is really working.

Then it happens. The myth that animal fat is what causes heart disease is upheld by this doctor. I was so disappointed that I put the book down for the night! I decided that I didn't have time to spare reading a book that propogated a myth that has been disproven. The next day however, I glanced through the table of contents to see what else to expect and read a few more pages in later chapters. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough there to redeem my hope and I did not read any further. If you believe animal fats are healthy, you'll be saddened by what Dr marcum has to say.

I received a free review copy of this book from the Publisher, which had no impact on my review.

from the back of the book..."Many of the diseases sending us to doctors' offices, surgical suites, and early graves are preventable-and we don't need to be overmedicated to cure them." This intriguing claim is made by Chattanooga cardiologist Dr. James L. Marcum, author of The Ultimate Prescription.

In this book, Dr. Marcum directly coorelates the cure for many of our (non-acute) illnesses to a health plan based upon the days of creation. He also details common and prevailing myths and lies that we are bombarded with through both the media and other sources. While Dr. Marcum definitively supports the use of modern medicine to combat illness, he also strongly proposes a definitive shift toward God's "original Health Plan" in our lifestyles. Among the eighteen chapters, are chapters relating each day of creation and how the particulars of that day's work impacts our health. The last chapters bring it all together in "The Ultimate Prescription" and "The Ultimate Healing." Also included in this work are appendices dealing with symptoms, diagnostic testing, and treatment.

Dr. Marcum is a practicing cardiologist at the Chattanooga Heart Institute. I found this book both throrough and very readible. He presents his thoughts with clarity and in layman's terms.

Dr. Marcum asserts, "We've got to conclude that much of what we as a society are dumping into our bodies is wrong. Our diet is not helping us live healthy lives. As a matter of fact, the foods we are eating are hurting us..." (13) Marcum says we are still believing the lie of Satan, "Go ahead and eat it, you won't die."

To get to the "ultimate prescription" for healthy living, we need to go to the One who created it. Included is more than just the foods you eat and the inactivity you experience. It includes your thoughts, worship and your love.

"Disease is often just a symptom of a life being lived out of step with the reality of how we were designed to live." (33) Marcum "came to realize that health is a by-product, an end result, of a love relationship with God." (41) For optimal health and well-being, it is essential we know and worship God. Marcum says you don't begin your journey back to health at the doctor's office. You begin with the Bible. (53)

He says the laws God set down at creation are vital for health. He goes through the creation days to reveal the essential nature of light, breath, water, plants, sunlight, and sleep. He writes of the healing nature of love, receiving and giving it. He gives practical suggestions for improving your nutritional intake.

"...[T]he truth is, chronic illness is not caused by a lack of pharmaceuticals. Breaking the divine laws of health is the real culprit." (65)

I was really surprised at a few of Marcum's revelations. For example, cow milk is not good for you. "Milk doesn't build our ones. Instead, it causes our bodies to neutralize the intruder, thus actually removing calcium from our bones." (146)

And a 2003 landmark study revealed "that American medicine frequently causes more harm than good." (38) "The total number of iatrogenic [inadvertent physician-induced] deaths is 783,936. It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The 2001 heart disease annual death rate is 699,697; the annual cancer death rate, 553,251." (39)

Marcum is not anti-medicine. He is a board-certified behavioral cardiologist. He includes in his book several Appendices giving specific medical information regarding symptoms and treatment of heart conditions.

This is not your typical book on health. Marcum really believes God set health laws in motion at creation. His is good advice for gaining and maintaining health the way God intended.

Marcum has included a discussion guide which would make this book a great choice for small groups centered on health.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of this review.